"This Diamond Ring". Written by Al Kooper. Gary Lewis and The Playboys.

Perfect pop.

Taught myself to drum to this when I was 14. Bought a trap set. Formed a garage band (we never performed it--moved on to The Animals, The Kinks, The Stones). Lived every kids rock and roll dream in 1965, playing school dances and frat parties...

Definitely one of my all times faves, but their first, "Cherish", has to be their greatest. Well ...because it was their first.
I still am amazed by that album photo with a wall of amps behind. The loudest band in LA. Maybe the first power pop band, live.

I prefer the rougher live versions from 1967 - either at the Monterey Festival or 1967 Ravinia Festival. I think they're a bit more exciting. The final bars are my favourite in the song, live or recorded. Glorious.

I prefer the rougher live versions from 1967 - either at the Monterey Festival or 1967 Ravinia Festival. I think they're a bit more exciting. The final bars are my favourite in the song, live or recorded. Glorious.

Great time, when a pop single played everyday, on my favorite local radio, could range from The Beatles, to The Kinks, to The Yardbirds, to The Stones, to The Association, to The Byrds, to Dylan, to The Beach Boys, to Moby Grape, to Cream, to Buffalo Springfield, to The Animals, to Donovan, To Dusty Springfield, to The Doors, to Blues Magoos, to Santana, to The Moody Blues, to Hendrix, to Stevie Wonder, to The Temptations...can't get any better. All on one station. All in one day.